Page 212 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Washington, DC

210  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Banking and Currency the best value rates. Many
major hotels can also change
Throughout Washington there are various places to access currency, but they often charge
and exchange your money, from banks to cash machines to a higher rate of exchange or
bureaux de change. The most important thing to remember commission. The most cost-
effective way to acquire
is not to carry all your money and credit cards with you at American currency is via debit
once, and to be prepared to use ATM machines on Sunday card at a participating bank
when most banks and currency exchange offices are closed. machine. Some banks waive
foreign transaction fees.
DIRECTORY Banks and Foreign
Exchange ATMs
Main Banks
Most banks are open Monday Automated teller machines
Bank of America to Friday from 9am to 5pm (ATMs) are found all over the
700 13th St, NW. (although some may close later) city, usually near the entrance
Map 3 C3. Tel (202) 624-4413. and Saturdays from 9am to to banks, or inside convenience
∑ bankofamerica.com noon or 1pm. Most banks are stores and supermarkets.
closed on Sundays and federal Widely accepted bank cards
Capital One Bank holidays (see p41). include Cirrus, Plus,
701 Pennsylvania Ave, NW. The exception is Maestro, NYCE, and
Map 3 C3. Tel (202) 737-4950. TD Bank, which credit cards such
∑ capitalone.com has many as MasterCard
Sun Trust Bank branches with or VISA. A
1445 New York Ave, NW. Sunday hours fee may be
Map 3 B3. Tel (202) 879-6308. and is open on levied on your
∑ suntrust.com federal holidays. withdrawal (a
Always ask if there pop-up screen
TD Bank are any special fees American Express should tell
1753 Connecticut Ave, NW. before you make your credit cards you the fee and
Tel (202) 232-4837. transaction. At most banks, ask if you want the
∑ tdbank.com
traveler’s checks in US dollars transaction to continue). Always
Foreign Exchange can be cashed with any photo use ATMs in well-lit, populated
identification, but passports are areas only. Avoid withdrawing
American Express usually required to exchange money at night, and be aware
Travel Service foreign currency. of the people around you.
Tel (800) 297-2977. Foreign currency exchange is
available at the main branches
Thomas Cook/Travelex of large banks or at exchange Credit and Debit Cards
Tel 1-877-465-0085 offices like American Express VISA, MasterCard/Maestro, and
(general information.) Travel Service and Thomas most international debit cards
∑ travelex.com Cook/Travelex. Exchange are widely accepted almost
Branch at: offices are generally open everywhere in Washington,
Union Station. weekdays from 9am to 5pm. from theaters and hotels to
Map 3 A2. Most exchange offices charge restaurants and shops. Note
Tel (202) 371-9220.
a fee or commission, so it is that American Express is
Lost or Stolen Cards worth looking around to get increasingly not accepted.
American Express
Tel 1-800-528-4800.
MasterCard
Tel 1-800-627-8372.
Visa
Tel 1-800-847-2911.
Wiring Money
MoneyGram
∑ moneygram.com
Western Union
Tel 1-800-225-5227.
∑ westernunion.com
ATMs are found throughout the city

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